The government, through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, has reiterated that the ZiG currency, along with all currencies in the approved multi-currency basket, remains legal tender for the payment of school fees.
The ministry said it is illegal for schools to demand fees exclusively in United States dollars and warned that such practices will attract stern disciplinary action.
It also stressed that all fee conversions must be based strictly on the official interbank exchange rate, adding that schools are not allowed to set or use inflated rates.
The reminder comes as schools prepare to open for the first term of 2026 on 13 January. The Ministry:
“The Ministry’s directives on financial matters, as detailed in the Term Three 2025 guidelines, remain fully in force and must be strictly adhered to for the 2026 academic year.
“The Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) and all currencies within the multicurrency system remain legal tender for school fees payments.
“Schools are prohibited from demanding fees exclusively in United States Dollars (USD).
“Any such practice is illegal and will attract severe disciplinary action.”
The ministry also said that no child should be sent home, excluded from lessons, or barred from sitting examinations because of unpaid fees.
Instead, schools are required to engage with parents and guardians to agree on flexible payment plans.
The ministry further warned schools against forcing parents and guardians to buy school uniforms from designated suppliers.
The first term of the 2026 academic year will begin on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, and is scheduled to end on Wednesday, 1 April 2026.
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